Mixing machine for concrete or the like



All@ 2, 1949. R. A. Bl-:cKwlTH 2,477,558

MIXING MACHINE FOR CONCRETE 0R THE LIK Augn 2, 1949. R. A. BEcKwlTH MIXING MACHINE FOR CONCRETE R THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 26, 1945 Patented Aug. Z, 1949 UNITED MIXING MACHINE FR CONCRETE R THE LIKE Raymond A. Beckwith, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Koehring Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation Application September 26, 1945, Serial No. 618,718

I Claims. 1

The object of my present invention has been to produce a novel construction of mixing machine particularly designed for the mixing of concrete aggregates, but also adapted for general mixing purposes for employment in glass, chemical, fertilizer, and other plants, where agitation of mass materials is required for manufacturing purposes.

In the carrying out of my invention, I utilize a novel construction of mounting means for the mixing drum or receptacle, whereby, upon actuation thereof, the materials in the drum are oscillated back and forth, so to speak, in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the drum, and at the same time the mass of materials being agitated or mixed is rotated, generally speaking, in a direction around the said longitudinal axis of the drum or mixing receptacle. In the above manner multi-directional movements are imparted to the materials being mixed in the mixing drum, and a high degree oi eiliciency of mixing action is produced.

Still another object of my invention has been to produce a machine in which the multitudinal direction mixing or agitating movements of the mass of materials in the mixing drum is produced by the operation of a single motor adapted to shift the drum back and forth, practically speaking, with an oscillatory movement shifting the materials therein from end to end of the drum :Y:

in a reverse manner, and eiecting simultaneously a rotation of the drum for causing the rotational movement previously referred to in respect to the materials being agitated.

Still another object of my invention has been to utilize the driving means for imparting the multi-directional movements to the drum, and which means is availed of for shifting the drum to a discharge position and to a charging position, Without the necessity of using special provisions such as a motor or some other type of power operated means for causing the mixing drum to assume said discharge and charging positions.

Still another object of my invention has been to utilize as a feature of the driving means for operating the drum from a suitable motor or prime mover, which driving means includes an automatic clutch operable to enable discontinuance of bodily movement of the drum that imwhen the charging operation is being performed,

and to facilitate the quick discharging of the materials from the drum when the drum has reached a discharge position and is maintained therein ior discharging purposes.

A further objectof my invention has been to produce a machine of the general class above described and having the advantages above set forth in relation thereto, in which the mixing drum is mounted upon a cradle and disposed in said cradle at an angle to the axis of rotation to the latter, so that endwise mass movement or bodily movement of the materials being mixed will be produced as the cradle is rotated. My invention contemplates not only the foregoing mounting of a mixing drum in a cradle having the characteristic operation set forth, but, in addition thereto, the utilizing of Suitable drive gearing by which the mixing drum is constantly rotated while being .carried on the cradle and being turned with the cradle for the oscillating shifting movement of the materials therein, while simultaneously producing a revolving or rotational movement of said material, together with suitable control instrumentalities whereby to discontinue movement of the drum bodily incident to the rotation of the cradle, While the rotational movement of the drum as supported upon the cradle, and independently of the cradle is continued.

My invention involves other details of construction and operation of special advantage in the art of concrete mixing machines for obtaining a highly ecient machine for the purpose of concrete mixing, and which features of construction and advantages Will appear more fully upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of a concrete mixing machine embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the machine as illustrated in Figure l, the mixing drum being largely shown in side elevation and broken away at the end thereof driven from the drive gearing,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the cradle movement stopping instrumentalities and the drum door actuating means, the portion of the drum shown being illustrated as when in discharging position and the closing door for the discharge opening being arranged in its open position as when discharging of the drum is taking place.

Figure 4 is a View similar to Figure 3, but illustrating the drum in a reverse position, notable for charging of the same, and again showing the drum opening closing door in open position enabling the charging operation to be performed.

Figure is a fragmentary sectional View taken about on the line 5-5 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 isa' sectional view'talren about'cn the line -of Figure 2, looking in tlie direction of the arrows.

Figure '7 is a detail elevational view showing 'f the yoke-like rocking lever for electingv the opening and closing of the door for the drum;

Specically describing the preferred embodiment of my invention as showni. in the accom*- panying drawings, I designates thel base` of the machine, upon which is carried the frame strucn ture generally designated at 2. The.A base or the irame structure is inclined generally in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the drum 3; 'IE-heframe structure 2 comprises an upwardly extending arml l at one end and anupwardly extending arm Eyatl theY opposite end; The arm` 5 supports a' sleeve bearing' in which is mounted a drive shaft 'l which is virtually the shaft of aY suitable motor 8, whichl motor may be of the electric: type, as illustrated; or the shaft l may be the engine shaft oil an4 explosive or other type of engine such as' may be suitable'or the purposes of myI machine.

By theV useV of suitable control switch, not shown, the, speed' of the motor 8` may be varied from slowv to greater speed, as desired.

I provide av drum: supporting cradle 9V for supporting'therdrum 3f which is of generally oppositely tapered shape ande closed at one end', While its? other endV has. provided therein thev charging anddischarging openings irl); Thel cradle 9 is rotatable as will' be' more fully set forth, and the drum 3 i'sarranged". at an angle'tmthe; longitudinal axis of the cradle, as seen best in Figures 1 and 2 of' the drawings.. At its more' tapered end the drum 3 is supportedby means of rollers H:- which are carried by brackets t2 attached? to the' inner sides of the cradle' 9.. AtV its larger end the' drum is supported by means oi an upwardly and laterally' inclined' arm l3 constituting. any extension of' an end member of the cradle.

The arm |32 of the. cradle sup-portsthe trunnion member lll at the larger end of the drum 3.Whic'h trunnion member is. shown as formed integrally withtlie driven; gear t5, a. suitable bearing being provided in the arm l3i for the said trunn-ion |42. Thee driven gear- |f5f meshes with` an intermediate transmission gear i6` whichv in turn is in mesh with the driving. gear IT carried bythe shaft 'I of' the motor 8i. The gear' l'l'A is4 located* just at thai-'nner sideof the errdoi? the cradle 9i adjacent thereto. Tothis end` of the cradle 9' is attached cradle driving gear t8, and. suitable fastening means I9, such as screw bolts, maybe utilized for ther said attachment purpose'. Thev gear i8 is". supported on: the bearing members I'B of the arm- 5, and said gear meshes with another driving gear 2!!! which may be chara'cterizedv as an: idler gear and which is supported upon are auxiliary shaft or counter-shaft 2l., The shaft 2l? is uniquelymounted inv suitableW bearing means` provided in the' transmitting gear 2-2 -wh'ich hasv a bearing' portionl 2:3 mounted. ini the" armr 5 of the frame structure The gear 22 is4 drivenY di'- rectly from afr gear'git' which: is keyed to'th'e motor shaft-1 previously described;`

The gear 2D, which drives the cradle: 9,' is operated! from thew gear 22l whichis directly driven from theshaftllyby meansof ai slipcliltcl' arrangement including the clutch facing 25 intermediate the gears 2U and 22, and the coiled spring 26 received in the hollow portion shown as provided in the gear 22, said spring having a bearing at its left end, as seen in Figure 2, on the gear 22, and having a bearing at its right end on' al collar" 2, see Figure 2; which collar surrounds the counter-shaft 2| and is held in place in the hollow portion of the gear 22 as a bearing, by means of a set nut 28.

From the foregoing description of parts it will be. seen that' the drum 3 is driven by positive driving gear means for rotating the drum from the shaft` l; the gear means including the gears ll', I-, and l6'.- On the other hand, it will be seen that the cradle 3 is slip clutch driven through the provision of the drive from the shaft T through the gears 22, 29, and I8, the latter iastenedto the cradle.

The door operating means for my mixing drum 3' will. now be described in relation:- particularly toFigures 2 3 and. 4f of the drawings.

rI-he door tor closingr theA charging' and discharging opening l! of the drum is designated f 29 and isi equipped with a centra-l trunnion` 3i) mounted a bearing 3l, which bearingv 3| is carried` byayoke-like extension 3-2f of a door opening and closing lever 33, shown best in Fig-.- ure7 and in Figures 2, 3, and 4.

The lever 33- is'I provided with anaxis` shaft or mem-ber mounted at its ends in the bearings inthe spaced endr portions of the cradle. Slat the end of the latter opposite that at which the drive gearing previously described is located. The supporting bearing portions; of the lever 33 are designatedv 3 and the lever includes an: upper arm' 35- having pivotal connection at 36 with a plunger member 3l'f,A see Figures 2', 3 and 4, The plunger member 3i isl mounted' inf a sleeve-dike trunnion member 38- which constitutes the trunnionsupport for the cradle 9 at its left end', as seen in Figures 2, 3, and 4, and the cradleA 9' is adapted to rotate about the axis of. thel trunnion member 38.- andabout theaxis supplied' by the bearing member t* and? the'shaft 1'.

'Ix'heY trunn-icn member 33 permits offree inwardv and' outward movementsv of the plunger member 37; and permits of the free movement ol? the' member 3"! which is normallyl pushedto thev outer extreme of its movement as a normal Working position' by means: of a coiled spring 3:9 bea-ring against a-n outer head on the member 37! at one end of' the spring, the` opposite` end of the spring bearing against the member 381 A stopping: device forv discontinuing the rotation or the cradle 9; and renewing. such. rotation by manual is providedv at theI door end? of the machine',l speaking with reterenceto the door of the drum 3i. This stopping devicev consists of an' angular shapedy platev 4U'- e'quippe'd at its upper portion with an operating handle dlr and pivotally connected at its lower' endl afsy shown at 42 wi-tlr the left arm: 4 of the trame structure 2. The upper end of the plate `lll constitutes virtually a stoparm` and normally' lies in the position shown in Figure 2, being: held in such asition by the spring 39 acting upon' theA plunger For the purpose of stopping the drum 3' inI a position'- sueh as illustrated.- in- Figures 2 andy 3; whereinl the: drum is at arr inclination` for facili'- tating; discharge thereof, the stop device' is operated by the`ha/r1dle14'l: tocause'the stop' member 4'3 to engage' over'the: end of. the cradle 9 adjacent thereto,I as seen in= Fig-nre 3-.. This will bring the cradle 9 to a stop in substantially the position shown in Figures 2 and 3, and, simultaneously with the movement of the member 43 to the stopping position, the plunger 31 will be actuated for rocking the door opening lever 33 and bringing the door 29 to the open position shown in Figure 3.

Notwithstanding the discontinuance of the rotation of the cradle 9 in the above manner, the drive of the driving mechanism to the drum 3 to revolve the drum about its trunnions 30 and i4, in the cradle, will continue, and the drum will therefore be revolved in order to quickly empty the same when it is in its discharge position of Figure 3 with the door 29 open.

Now in like manner in regard to the matter of charging the drum, it will be seen that when the cradle 9 is in a position reverse, up and down, to that of the position of Figures 2 and 3, the stop member 43 may be pushed to overlie the adjacent end of the cradle, by means of handle 4l, and in this way the cradle will be discontinued from rotation while the drum 3 is in an upwardly inclined position at its discharge end, and simultaneously the door 29 will be opened, as seen in Figure 4, and the charging of the drum may be effected while the parts are arranged as shown in the last mentioned figure. The charging of the drum may be eiected by a suitable chute ,or any other charging means located above the opening I0 of the drum when the latter is in the position of Figure 4.

As to the operation of the member 43 in both of its positions of Figures 3 and 4, a release of the pressure on the said member 43 by the handle 4H, in the direction of the drum, will enable the spring 39 to push the plunger 31 outwardly and simultaneously move the member 43 outwardly to disengage it from the cradle 9. Thereupon, the drive to the cradle 9 will be resumed and its rotation continued.

The manner in which the above operation of stopping the cradle while the drum 3 continues to rotate, as incident to the operation of the gearing previously set forth will now be described.

When the stop device 4|] is in the position shown in Figure 2 it will be apparent that the drive to the drum 3 is twofold, in that the drum is driven from the shaft l positively under all conditions while the motor 8 is in operation, through the gear Il, the gear I 6, and the gear I5, the last carried by the trunnion I4. The continuous rotation of the drum 3, of course, is the rotation thereof at an angle of the axis of the cradle, or, in other words, while the drum is disposed at an angle to such axis, and during such rotation the drive of the shaft 'I is taken off through the gears 24, 22, 20, and I8, through the cradle itself.

The last mentioned drive to the cradle 9 through the gears just referred to involves of course the drive of the slip clutch means previously described and referred to as including the clutch part 25, shaft 2 I, and the spring surrounding the shaft 2l. Thus, at any time that the operator of the machine wants to stop the drum 3 from its rotation bodily with the cradle 9, the use of the stop device 43 will accomplish this because the cradle will be held positively against the driving action of the gears I8, 20, 22, and 24 through the provision of the slip clutch means heretofore set forth, the gears 24 and 22 continuing their rotative movement, but the gears 20 and I8 being stopped from movement and permitted so to do through the slip clutch provision set forth.

It is contemplated that the speed of the motor 8 may be slowed down if desired, at the time that the charging operation is to be performed for the drum 3, or at the time that the discharging operation is to be performed, but it is consequential that the rotation of the drum 3 in its cradle be continued incident to the stopped movement of the cradle or the continuous movement of the cradle for reasons which have been heretofore pointed out.

A roller Ila on a cross bar spanning one end of the cradle 9 coacts with rollers il to hold the drum 3 for rotation in the cradle.

Referring generally to the entire operation of my machine, it will be apparent that as the cradle 9 revolves in its position as supported upon the frame structure 2, the drum 3 is bodily shifted to opposite angles in its rotative movement, these angles, both in respect to the vertical and horizontal, and combinations of such positions. This movement is important in that it shifts the mass of aggregates or materials being mixed in the drum, backward and forward endwise of the drum, with a sort of oscillatory motion. Meanwhile, during the above shifting of the materials by reason of the cradle movement of the drum 3, the drum is imparted a revolving movement independently of its bodily movement with the cradle, and this revolving movement causes a rotation of the mass of materials in the drum circularly about the axis of the drum in the cradle, as will be obvious. For concrete mixing purposes, lit is contemplated, of course, that the drum 3 shall be equipped interiorly with mixing blades or agitating paddles of any suitable type found efficient in practice and as commonly used today in drums of this character. Thus the agitated materials will not only be bodily shifted in an oscillating manner endwise of the drum, and rotated in a circular manner around the axis of the drum, but they will be broken up by intercepting blades during such movement of the mass of aggregate materials.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A mixing machine comprising, in combination, a supporting frame, a cradle, axis means supporting the cradle on the frame, a mixing drum, axis means connecting the drum and cradle, a motor common to and drivingly connected for rotating the cradle and drum about their respective axes, a door for closing and opening the drum, means for interrupting the driving of the cradle to stop the drum in a predetermined position, and means for opening the door incident to stopping of the cradle movement.

2. A mixing machine comprising, in combination, a supporting frame, a cradle, axis means supporting the cradle on the frame, va mixing drum, axis means connecting the drum and f cradle, a motor common to and drivingly connected for rotating the cradle and drum about their respective axes, a door for closing and opening the drum, means for interrupting the driving of the cradle to stop the drum in predetermined charging and discharging positions, the drum being disposed on the cradle to incl-ine downwardly when in discharge position and inclined upwardly `in charging position, and means to open the door simultaneously with stoppage of cradle movement.

3.- A mixing machine comprising, in combina# tion, a supporting frame, a cradle, axis means supporting the cradle on the frame, a mixing drum, axis means connecting the drum and cradle, a motor common to and drivingly connected for continuously rotating the cradle and drum about their respective axes, a door for closing and opening the drum, and means for interrupting the driving of the cradle to stop the drum inpredetermined charging and discharging positions, the drum being disposed on the cradle so that its longitudinal axis is diagonal to thatof the cradle and so as to incline downwardly when in discharge position and incline upwardly in charging position.

4. A mixing machine comprising, in combinatin, a supporting frame, a cradle, axis means supporting the cradle on the frame, a mixing drum havingdischarge means operable for discharging when the cradle is stationary, axis In-eans connecting the drum and cradle and disposed on a line at an angle to the axis means for the cradle, power means for continuously rotating the cradle, means to stop the cradle rotation at will, and instrumentalities operated i from the power means for rotating the drum in the cradle when the cradle rotates and when its rotation is stopped, the driving means for the cradle including a slip clutch between the cradle and drum driving members, and the stop means includes a device to stop the cradle mov-ement by utilizing the action of the slip clutch.

5. A mixing machine comprising, in combination, a supporting frame, a cradle, axis means supporting the cradle on the frame, a mixing drum, axis means connecting the drum and the cradle and disposed on a line diagonal to the axis means for the cradle, a single motor, and driving means comprising cradle and drum driving members drivingly connecting the motor to rotate the cradle and to rotate the drum in the cradle, in which the driving means for the cradle includes a slip clutch, between the cradle and drum driving members, and a device to stop the cradle movement by utilizing the action of the slip clutch.

6. A machine as claimed in claim 5, in which said cradle and drum driving means includes gearing connecting the motor and drum, gearing including a controllable clutch connecting the motor to the cradle, and the stop means includes means to simultaneously stop the cradle and control the said clutch for preventing the continuance of the drive from the motor to the cradle.

7, A mixing machine comprising, in combination, a supporting frame, a cradle, axis means supporting the cradle on the frame, a mixing drum having discharge means operable for discharging when the cradle is stationary, axis means connecting the drum and cradle and disposed on a line at an angle to the axis means for the cradle, power means for continuously rotating the cradle, means to stop the cradle rotation at will, and instrumentalities operated from the power means for rotating the drum in the cradle when the cradle rotates and when its rotation is stopped, the drum discharge means including an opening in the end of the drum disposable in a downward direction on stopping of the drum from rotation, and a door for said opening.

8. A mixing machine comprising, in combination, a supporting frame, a cradle, axis means supporting the cradle on the frame, a mixing drum having discharge means operable for discharging when the cradle is stationary, axis means connecting the drum and cradle and disposed on aline at an angle to the axis means for the cradle, power means for continuously rotating the cradle, means to stop the cradle rotation at will, and instrumentalities operated from the power means for rotating the drum in the cradle when the cradle rotates and when its rotation is stopped, the drum discharge means including an opening in the end of the drum disposable in a downward direction on stopping of the drum from rotation in a position of downward inclination with the opening at its lower end for discharging action, and a door for said opening, said opening being adapted to be used as a charging opening when the cradle is stopped while the drum is adjusted to a position of inclination with the opening at an upper end thereof.

9. A mixing machine comprising a supporting frame, a cradle rotatable thereon, a mixing drum on the cradle having axis means thereon inclinedto the axis of rotation of the cradle, said drum having a charging opening, power means to rotate the cradle, means operated from the power means to rotate the drum in the cradle, and devices to stop the cradle rotation for hold 'ing the drum in a position inclined upwardly with its charging opening upward to receive materials charged therethrough into the drum while the drum rotation continues.

10. A mixing machine comprising, in combination, a supporting frame, a cradle, axis means supporting the cradle on the frame, a mixing drum `having discharge means operable for discharging when the cradle is stationary, axis means connecting the drum and cradle and disposed on a line at an angle to the axis means for the cradle, power driving means for continuously rotating the cradle including a motor, means to stop the cradle rotation at will, and instrumentalities operated from the power means for rotating the drum in the cradle when the cradle rotates and when its rotation is stopped, said instrumentalities comprising gearing connecting the motor and the drum, other gears connecting the motor and cradle, and a controllable clutch connecting certain of the last mentioned gears.

RAYMOND A. BECKWITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenlces are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 842,902 McArthur Feb. 5, 1907 1,292,127 Stevens Jan. 21, 1919 1,456,877 Kennedy May 29, 1923 1,755,763 Barber Apr. 22, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 90,094 Sweden Aug. 24, 1937 

